This is an escorted tour program taking you to the Icelandic countryside to celebrate Christmas in a casual and Icelandic way. Explore Reykjavík, the lunar landscapes of the Reykjanes peninsula, and the Golden Circle route. Travel to South Iceland, a region with glaciers, waterfalls and black lava beaches. Enjoy a warm and relaxing soak in the famous Blue Lagoon during the cold winter day.
DAY 1 Reykjavik
Your tour commences with an arrival transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
Stay at: Hotel Klettur (3 star) or similar
DAY 2 Reykjavik – Blue Lagoon - Hella (Christmas Eve)
This morning after breakfast, meet your Tour Manager and explore the highlights of Iceland’s exciting capital during Christmas season. Then head out to Reykjanes Peninsula, known for its vast lava fields, cone volcanoes, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean before arriving at the iconic Blue Lagoon for a warm and relaxing soak. Afterwards, drive along the south coast to the village of Hella where you will stay for the next 2 nights.
In the evening, Christmas celebrations begin the Icelandic way. Before dinner, join a guided bus tour to visit the Christmas lights in the villages of Hvolsvöllur and Hella. The traditional Christmas lights had their origins in the Middle Ages when people needed to keep the lights in their abodes during the Winter Solstice. In Iceland, the tradition finds its roots in the Pagan Old Norse beliefs when people would keep the fire alive inside the central pit of the Viking longhouses to keep the darkness of the Winter Solstice outside. Experience a Festive dinner at the Stracta Hotel in Hella. Drink a toast of sparkling wine as you enjoy a real special Christmas Celebration. After dinner, step into the darkness to search for the Northern Lights.
Stay at: Hotel Stracta (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 3 Hella - Vik - Hella (Christmas Day)
Merry Christmas! Today, you head along the South Coast and get out near the active volcano that is beneath the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. Stop at the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which plunges over the mountain. There’s a trail that goes behind the falling water and offers impressive views if you are prepared to get wet! Further east, visit one of Iceland’s finest folk museums. This museum contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artefacts typical of Iceland’s past, as well as turf-built houses. Nearby is Skógafoss waterfall which is 62 metres high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. In the afternoon the tour continues further south to explore the famous Black Lava Beach at Reynisfjara, observe the Cap of Dyrhólaey and the Reynisdrangar Sea Cliffs If you are looking for a bit more adventure, you can take the optional tour in the afternoon for a glacier hike. The hike is on the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue which extends from the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
For the evening visit the charming village of Vík. If the night is clear, you might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights swirling in a wild and carefree dance across the heavens in dramatic shapes, colours, patterns and sizes.
Stay at: Hotel Stracta (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 4 Hella - Golden Circle - Reykjavik
This morning, learn about the beautiful Icelandic horse, its unique qualities and history, followed by a visit to a geothermal greenhouse to learn how Icelandic homes use geothermal energy. Then you will head to the Golden Circle region and travel the famous route. See steam rising from the Geysir geothermal fields including the well known Strokkur and admire the double waterfall of Gullfoss. In the afternoon, you will visit the Þingvellir National Park, the location of the ancient Viking Parliament and UNESCO World Heritage Site, before continuing to Reykjavik.
Return to Reykjavík for tonight's culinary treat at a traditional restaurant located downtown Reykjavík.
Stay at: Hotel Klettur (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 5 Reykjavik
Your tour concludes today with a departure transfer for your onward journey.
Meals included: Breakfast
Entrances
Activities:
Sightseeing